Tips and Tricks: Troubleshooting your Resume

A computer can scan the main points and keywords in a resume in about 10 seconds, which makes a properly constructed resume more important than ever.

Most companies are now using automated scanning software to filter out mismatched or inappropriate applications. Knowing how to bypass the software can help get your resume into the hands of recruiters.

Here are some tips to help you solve your resume problems:

Beat the System

Make sure to include keywords from your resume that will turn a positive light onto your personality and skills.Don’t take the scanning machines lightly; their goal is to limit the candidate pool for open positions. Use relevant keywords in your resume as much as possible.

Use Past Experiences

Once your resume has made it past the robots, what’s the next step? If you lack experience, are you in trouble? Not necessarily.

Any past experience that you can tie to the position may apply, and can be included in your resume. Perhaps you’ve done an internship, worked on a long-term project, or worked volunteer jobsin your free time that are related to your field.

Remove experiences that are not relevant to the position you are applying for. Relay information honestly to avoid raising red flags.

Counter the Age Issue

Some companies prefer younger workers, while others may prefer older employees, for any number of reasons. If you think the company may see you as someone who will not fit the job because of your age, create a resume that will prove them wrong.

Counter biases by creating a resume that focuses on what you have to offer to the company, and lets recruiters evaluate you on a personal basis.

If you think you are too young, list the jobs you held while you were still in school. If you get the sense that you’re older than the usual recruits, drop the graduation date from your resume, and exclude some of the earliest positions you’ve held.

Carefully choose what positions and details you do include. Make sure they’re relevant to the position you’re applying for, and only include those that show your level of experience and how you’ve excelled in your field.

These tips should help you clarify your resume and increase your chances of getting the job you’ve been hoping for.

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 40,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curveball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.